North Carolina coach Roy Williams underwent a robotic partial nephrectomy at UNC Hospitals Wednesday morning to remove a tumor from his right kidney, the school announced.
Dr. Eric Wallen, a professor of urology at North Carolina, and co-surgeon Dr. Mathew Raynor led the surgical team, which took three and a half hours to complete the operation. Doctors discovered the presence of the tumor during a physical earlier this month.
Dr. Wallen says Williams, 62, should be able to coach when the Tar Heels begin practice for the 2012-13 season on Oct. 13th. Williams may have a second surgery to remove a tumor from his left kidney at a later date and could be sidelined for a few practices.
“The surgery went well and according to plan,” said Dr. Wallen. “Coach Williams did great. I fully expect him to coach this season and for years to come. He could miss some practice time if we perform another procedure sometime in October, but he would be able to resume his coaching duties prior to the start of the regular season.”
Release, Photo: UNC Athletics
